The more you add the more you subtract

Primer, Foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, eye shadow, eyeliner, eyebrow gel, eyebrow pencils, mascara, false lashes, extensions, and clip-ons, how many will you add before you subtract from yourself? Simple math, the more you add to yourself the more you subtract from yourself. The more you subtract from who you are, taking away all of your flaws and perfect imperfections.

Many of us are guilty of using all of these beauty accessories on a daily basis. Some of us will never leave the house without at least one of them on. Why are we so attached to these products? It may be that we are attached because we use these products to produce a “better version of ourselves”. This new and improved version of ourselves will then get praised by our family and friends and get us the most attention and likes on social media. This version of ourselves is considered flawless, sleek, and for lack of a better word beautiful. With all the compliments and attention we receive from adding these beauty accessories I can understand how anyone would want to look like their “better version “ every day. However, there is nothing wrong with finding liberation and empowerment through makeup and other cosmetics. Make-up is not solely used to dispose of flaws. The problem with make-up arises with the question, how do we feel when we take it all off? When you are in the comfort of your bathroom, and water washes the “better version” of you away, are you happy with what you see? Regardless of your answer, how many layers of these accessories did you add to subtract from the natural you?

Nonetheless, it doesn't or better yet it shouldn't take the entire MAC cosmetics store to feel liberated or empowered. It should not take three bundles of twenty-two inches of indian remy extensions or ombre clip-ins to be considered sleek and flawless. Or “fleek” eyebrows with thick false lashes to receive praise from social media, family and friends. And it shouldn't take a combination of all these accessories to create a “better version” of yourself or for lack of a better word to be “beautiful”.

On the contrary, this analogy “the more you add the more you subtract” fortunately can be applied in reverse. “The less you subtract the more you add”, meaning the fewer additions you apply to yourself to create the “better version” of yourself the more you add to the value of your beauty. For the value of your beauty can not be priced, nor could it be bought. The less you subtract the more you add to all the reasons why you are beautiful!